Nickel-catalyzed Enantioselective Hydroarylation and Hydroalkenylation of Styrenes.

We have developed a Ni-catalyzed enantioselective hydroarylation of styrenes with arylboronic acids using MeOH as the hydrogen source, providing an efficient method to access 1,1-diarylalkanes, which are essential structural units in many biologically active compounds. In addition, Ni-catalyzed enantioselective hydrovinylation of styrenes with vinylboronic acids is also realized with good yields and enantioselectivities. The synthetic utility was demonstrated by the efficient synthesis of ( R)-(-)-ibuprofen.